John Drakesmith Joins CMU Board Of Trustees

Central graduate class of 1958

John Drakesmith has been selected as a new member of the Board of Trustees of Central
Methodist University. Drakesmith is a retired businessman from Orlando, Fla.

A member of the class of 1958 of then-Central College, Drakesmith spent 50 years of
his working career in management and sales for Ford Motor Company in Saint Louis,
Cleveland, and Orlando. In 2002 he was honored with the Ford Motor Company President's
Award.

After his retirement from Ford, he served as president of Heintzelman's Truck Center
Inc. until 2011.

"Over the years," Drakesmith said, "I have attributed a large part of any success
I have enjoyed to my education at Central."

Currently, Drakesmith works with the national organization Senior Corps of Retired
Executives (SCORE), which counsels and mentors start-ups and struggling businesses
to help them succeed.

He also has been a member of the CMU President's Council, Rotary International, and
Central's infamous "Undistinguished Alumni" group. He and his wife, Margaret Woodward
Drakesmith, Central class of 1959, the daughter of former Central President Dr. Ralph
Woodward (1950-70), have supported four CMU Hall of Sponsor Scholarships.

While in school, Drakesmith was active in Alpha Phi Gamma (Mokers) social fraternity,
the Ragout yearbook staff, the Business Club, and Student Christian Organization.

Drakesmith has a very long connection with Central and with Fayette. "I have great
memories of my days there," he said. "I remember so many friends and can still picture
them. I had the added advantage of family connections that kept me in touch with CMU
and Fayette."